It is with great sadness that Accrington Stanley announces the death of their record goalscorer Dave ‘Haggis' Hargreaves.
Hargreaves, 64, enjoyed two prolific spells with the Reds, from 1974-78 where 141 goals in 132 games earned him a contract at then Second Division Blackburn Rovers – the first fee Stanley received in their new era, following their resignation from the Football League in 1962.
In the 1975-76 season, Hargreaves set the club record, scoring 56 goals in 44 games which has never been broken, with the Reds in the Lancashire Combination.
It didn't work out at Ewood for Hargreaves and he returned to Stanley in the 1978-9 season and re-found his prolific form.
He celebrated 300 goals in 300 games by the 1983-4 season and left Stanley in 1985, having scored 309 goals in 322 games in total during his Stanley career.
Stanley boss John Coleman said: “Haggis was a legend at Accrington. He was around a lot when I first took over at Accrington in 1999 as he was involved in Accrington Amateurs and I did some presentations for him.
“He was involved in the local leagues and he will sorely missed by the football community of Accrington.”
Dave Baron, who played alongside Hargreaves and managed him, said: “Haggis was a character, he was fabulous in front of goal and scored some fabulous goals.
“I think he could have made it at Blackburn if injuries and other things hadn't stopped him.
“He was always the first name on the team sheet and he could turn a game in a second.
“Everybody wanted Haggis in their side and opposition teams were wary of him. He commanded respect from what he did.
“He holds the record for Accrington Stanley and it will be a long time before this record goes, if ever.”
Everyone at Accrington Stanley passes on their condolences to the family and friends of Dave.
Stanley plan a tribute at our next home game with details to follow.